Sir, - I would be grateful if you might permit me to make some comments on the LUAS project, particularly in relation to the question of underground operation and to alternatives which I believe would deliver far greater public transport benefits.
While the LUAS service to Sandyford is likely to be more successful than on the other proposed routes due to the absence of street running, it will not fully exploit the potential of the former Harcourt Street railway, due to its low speed and moderate capacity. If Mary O'Rourke and the Government have genuine open minds on the subject of underground operation, they should instruct the latest set of consultants to cost the construction of a four km, double track, standard gauge railway from Ranelagh to Broadstone via Pearse or Tara Street stations. Such a link would facilitate the development of a new DART line from Maynooth to Carrickmines, thus bringing benefit to a much wider area and delivering a transport corridor with tremendous potential. The removal of Maynooth trains from the Drumcondra link line would in turn make the diversion of the Kildare Arrow service to Connolly, Tara Street and Pearse stations a practical proposition. (The present Arrow service from Kildare is of limited value due to the dependence on buses for access to the city centre.)
Although an underground LUAS line might improve the reliability of the system it will not significantly affect carrying capacity or journey times and would in fact deprive potential users of the advantages conferred by street running in the city centre. In other words, tunnelling for LUAS will deliver minimal public transport benefits at greatly increased cost. By all means tunnel, but do it for the right reasons and to maximum advantage. Under the scenario outlined, the LUAS route to Tallaght could start at the Point Depot, the Financial Services Centre, Connolly Station, Tara Street Station or Abbey Street, thus offering further potential for integration. - Yours, etc.,
A. Gray,
Howth Rd., Dublin 3.